Praying and Anointing: A Look at James 5:14-16

Praying for the sick has many benefits—find out how even the church can be blessed

The Theology of Human Work as Found in the Genesis Narrative Compared with the Co-Creationist Theology of Human Work

Contemporary work (or lack of it) can be a source of satisfaction or stress, of elevating a sense of self-­‐worth, or contributing to low self-­‐esteem. The question asked was what contribution could or did Christian theology offer to everyday human work. A study of the history of Christian theologies of work noted significant changes over the centuries to Christian understanding. Since all theologies of work were linked to Genesis material, a complete study of the Genesis narrative was undertaken. Utilizing the methods of narrative theology and reception history of Genesis passages, the prologue, primordial narrative and patriarchal portions were examined, and the findings compared with the contemporary co-­‐creationist theology of work. It was found that the Genesis narrative has a strong theme of work, and this is matched by a notable theme of curse in the primordial narratives and blessing in the patriarchal. The study asserts that the Genesis narrative has a chiastic structure that offers illumination to the issues connected with human work, and that the vision of human work portrayed in the co-creation doctrine of work is not supported by the Genesis presentation. The primordial narrative portrays the negative results of human work unaided by divine guidance, and the patriarchal narratives show the struggle of humans to learn to work with, and wait for, God. Importantly, the patriarchal narrative demonstrates that human efforts to expedite divinely promised blessing tend to result in delayed blessing and relational distress. The concluding Joseph novella offers encouragement regarding what God can achieve through a human dedicated to him. Joseph’s work embraced a full spectrum of work from slave to senior government official. The success he achieved even as a slave is repeatedly attributed as entirely due to the blessing of God. The theology that emerges from Genesis could thus be described as a blessed relational theology of work, with the focus on relationship with God, and the privilege of co-operating with him and with other humans to achieve the divinely intended good

Our Eternally Righteous God: Paul\u27s Great Controversy Theme in Romans 11

The author of this article suggests that Paul’s focus is profoundly apocalyptic and classic Seventh-day Adventist theology

Our Daily Work: God’s Idea

Teach your members how to connect two key segments of their lives: church and work

The New Covenant of Exodus

While the concept of the new covenant is well testified to and expressed in the New Testament, it is directly mentioned only once in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:31–34). Yet a careful reading of the book of Exodus indicates that the new covenant was actually declared and offered to God’s people as they camped at the foot of Mount Sinai and is therefore deeply embedded in God’s approach to His chosen people throughout history

Weaning Babies: A Meditation on Hebrews 5:11-6:8

Encourage the spiritual babies in your congregation to mature in their relationship with the Lord

Weaning Babies: A Meditation on Hebrews 5:11-6:8

Encourage the spiritual babies in your congregation to mature in their relationship with the Lord

Be a Blessing: The Theology of Work in the Narrative of Genesis

Utilizing the techniques of narratology and literary analysis, this study examines the foundational biblical text of Genesis to develop the theology of ordinary human work that emerges from it. The study offers a history of Christian theologies of human work as well as a unique approach to both the topic of work and the literary structure of Genesis. The emerging concept of blessing rather than achievement provides a refreshing and yet practical approach to human work. This is a valuable complement to the current interest in this topic, and one that, although challenging some current concepts, is encouraging

Our Daily Work: God’s Idea

Teach your members how to connect two key segments of their lives: church and work

Tyra: Through Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Through the traumatic years of Finland\u27s emergence as an independent nation, Tyra struggled with her understanding of God